Rhône Valley, 2009

2009 was a stunning Rhône vintage, with the northern Rhône fractionally shading it over the southern half of the region. It was a hot year, producing rich, concentrated wines with relatively low acidity.

A wet winter and hot summer produced a relatively small crop of perfectly ripe, healthy grapes with just enough rain in autumn to counteract relatively low acidity.

In the north, 2009 produced a biggish crop of rich, silky reds with wonderful fruit purity and great concentration combined with elegance and finesse, across the board, while the whites display lovely layers of complexity and texture.

In the south, 2009 produced a much smaller crop of super ripe grapes, and many growers elected to pick relatively early to avoid excessive alcohol levels. Quality was a little more sporadic, especially across Châteauneuf-du-Pape where those appellations with water-retaining soils fared best.

Rhône Valley, 2009

2009 was a stunning Rhône vintage, with the northern Rhône fractionally shading it over the southern half of the region. It was a hot year, producing rich, concentrated wines with relatively low acidity.

A wet winter and hot summer produced a relatively small crop of perfectly ripe, healthy grapes with just enough rain in autumn to counteract relatively low acidity.

In the north, 2009 produced a biggish crop of rich, silky reds with wonderful fruit purity and great concentration combined with elegance and finesse, across the board, while the whites display lovely layers of complexity and texture.

In the south, 2009 produced a much smaller crop of super ripe grapes, and many growers elected to pick relatively early to avoid excessive alcohol levels. Quality was a little more sporadic, especially across Châteauneuf-du-Pape where those appellations with water-retaining soils fared best.

"What we like about the business is that 'fine' doesn't just mean famous. The first growths and their ilk are here, but in company with some excellent, less well-known, sometimes very limited production wines and often at what seem very reasonable prices."

The Wine Gang, thewinegang.com

"The range is excellent and I don’t just mean that they go right to the very top. There’s something for everyone, whether you want mature first-growth Bordeaux or a little known gem from an estate that’s been in the same family for generations and which you’d be hard-pushed to find anywhere else other than at the cellar door. I’m always finding things I want to try on Cadman’s list."